Yohimbe/Yohimbine --> Effective?

BiggerIsBetter: I'm curious if anyone else on the board has had any positive results with using Yohimbe supplements. I've been taking the Yohimbe over-the-counter tablets (from bark extract, apparently) and haven't really noticed any benefits or side effects.

There's a site on the net that gives a thumbs-down to Yohimbe and instead promotes the use of Yohimbine, apparently a purer form available only with a prescription. Of course, it's a self-promoting website with the option of paying a $40 consultation fee for a Yohimbine prescription-by-mail. Not real sure that it's the best way to go without first getting feedback.

Anyone have any experience with these?

southerncruise: What are your goals in using this?

Yohimbe supplements are either standardized or not standardized for the active isomer. Unfortunately, being a plant, its biological activity largely depends on the time of year it is harvested. On top of that there are 31 or so isomers in the yohimbe family, with ranging effects.

Most of the herbal preparations have varying degrees of effectiveness, again depending on what you're using it for. The herbal preps are also notorious for transient side effects.

What brand are you using?

The most common use of yohimbe is in bodybuilding/fitness circles for stubborn lower body fat in women (hips, butt, thighs) and abdominal fat in men.

Yohimbine HCl is the allopathic equivalent and is THE active isomer we're after. It's medical use has been for impotence as it does increase blood flow to the penis.

I've used it (yohimbine), not with increased erections in mind however, but didn't notice any uncharacteristic erection frequency.

It might take more time to build up. However, i wouldn't expect much from the herbal preps.

You can, if you look, find Yohimbine HCl on the net.

You know all those pesky disclaimers and contra-indications on those labels we all ignore? I used to believe they weren't written for me.

Yohimbe/Yohimbine is one of those supplements that makes me ill, in this case violently sick to my stomach. It took 2 trips to the emergency room to figure it out.

I read those labels carefully now.

Pecker

(I don't suffer from stress. I'm a carrier.)

southerncruise: This would be from yohimbe, and not from yohimbine. Like I said the herbal preps can contain up to 31 or so isomers with a host of side effects. Yohimbine is the one we'd want.

I wouldn't recommend herbal yohimbe to anyone.

BrownEyedGuy: A urologist once prescribed Yohimbine for me to help my erections. Unfortunately the nastiest side effect is an increase in blood pressure. I already have borderline high blood pressure, so Yohimbine is out of the question. Levitra is much better for erections.

prepstudinsc: I've been told before that things like herbal Yohimbe can be dangerous because there is no set standard dosage. The quality is not always consistent, either, so depending on what brand is bought, it can vary radically.
Hence the nasty side effects or illness, like Pecker experienced.

hawl: [quote author=Pecker link=board=health;num=1066038433;start=0#2 date=10/13/03 at 1058]You know all those pesky disclaimers and contra-indications on those labels we all ignore? *I used to believe they weren't written for me.

*

I read those labels carefully now.

Pecker

[/quote]Fortunately I haven't had reactions as extreme as Pecker's, but I definitely relate. My experiences with authentic Yohimbe from reputable companies like Twinlab were easily more intense than my experiences with caffeine pills for example, and not too pleasant. *I think when someone says they "didn't feel anything", they likely got very diluted or weak stuff. I have tried everything from androstenedione to DHEA to creatine to Kava Kava to ephedrine, and the big Y is easily the one substance in a health food store that inspires fear, respect, etc., in me, and I don't mean that in a good way. WATCH OUT with this stuff. I think a good way for neophytes to gauge its toxicity is to take it out of the capsule and taste it. Nice, huh? It makes Valerian seem like candy. Would you normally, for any reason, ingest something like that? Here's a relatively realistic-sounding description by some dude on the very entertaining Erowid site-www.erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=2263 and here's (I guess) the mainstream medical view on the stuff-http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/41/1668_50184.htm.

tsctsc: I took Twinlab Yohimbe Fuel & it really had a strange effect on me.
I made the mistake of taking it one evening w/dinner & I think I got @an hour or two of sleep at the most that night. It was crazy...made me laugh after awhile. So I tried it during the daytime a week later. Still made me hyper & upset stomach. I tossed them after that.

drambone: I have noticed a general libidinal increase from taking Jamieson's Power Vitamins for Men. Longer lasting erections, more cum.

jerkin4-10: yohimbe just makes me crazy...ive tries smaller doses and mixing it...and eating with, not eating with...it just makes me nuts...and it lasts a few hours...i know its illegal to buy or bring in canada...who floods their markets with codine-laced asprin...but you might try stuff like ginko biloba...and cayenne pepper...these both promote bloodflow to the extremities by dialating the viens and stuff, without the side-effects of yohimbe...also...ginko will help you think more clearly...if you take it on an ongoing basis...MAKE SURE TO EAT SOMETHING BEFORE YOU TAKE THE CAYENNE PEPPER...you have been warned...

AUncut10in: If you are taking Yohimbine to get better erections, I gotta ask why when Viagra works so great. I have also tried Levitra. I find that it doesn't work as well as Viagra and has more side effects for me. The best product that works for me is Vidrin soft tabs. (www.vidrin.com) They are made with Viagra, but instead of swallowing them, you put them under your tongue, so the medication goes directly into your blood stream. It works much faster (15 minutes) than Viagra tablets and it doesn't matter if you have eaten a meal. Like most guys that take Viagra, I can get an erection but the Vidrin tablets give me a rock hard erection that last forever. It's like I am 18 again. Kinda puts the fun back in sex and eliminates the stress.

Vincentr1: YOHIMBE CAN KILL YOU! . Even if you're young and healthy. Take too much and your heart will STOP. I took the perscribed dosage, had sex and I began to halucinate, my heart raced out of control. I lost all control over my body. I literally thought I was going to die that night. Through the stuff out. However I returned to it in smaller doses after remembering I never lost my erection that night even after I ejaculated. I think I came three time before I passed out in an halucaniated state. I wanted my cock to stay hard all night long again but even smaller doses leave me jittery, and nervous with heart palpatations. Somtimes it even makes me stutter. So I stay away from the stuff. I recommend testing less than recommended doses if you want to try it. Please respect this drug / herb.